Austrian sculptor Carl Kauba was fascinated by the American West, creating dynamic cast bronze sculptures of cowboys, Native Americans and buffalo. Between 1895 and 1912, his polychrome pieces captured the attention of an American audience, while his domestic statutory work in Austria helped solidify his artistic reputation.
He was born the son of a shoemaker in 1865 in Vienna, Austria. He later studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna before learning from sculptor Karl Waschmann and sculptor and medallist Stefan Schwartz.
Although some accounts have Kauba traveling to the United States to create models and sketches, scholars have questioned the inaccuracies in his work’s weapon detailing and equestrian costumes. Kauba loved the Western tales of German author Karl May and was known to have a friend in Ohio who mailed him costume material, all of which may have provided his references for art.
Kauba’s bronze work is recognized as exceptional Viennese craftsmanship imbued with artistic intricacies and realism. His sculptures of cavalrymen, cowboys and Indigenous people from the American West put him in the same category as titans of American Western art like Frederic Remington and Charles Marion Russell.
Original Carl Kauba art experienced a resurgence in popularity during a 1950s advertising campaign for Latendorfer in New York. His works have remained prized by Wild West collectors everywhere.
Kauba’s art has been exhibited at many American art galleries, including the Thomas Nygard Gallery in Montana and the Ophir Gallery in New Jersey.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Carl Kauba decorative objects, collectibles and more.
'Bare On Bear', Viennese Mechanical Bronze, Beauty On Bearskin, Carl Kauba, 1900
By Carl Kauba
Located in Vienna, AT
Representation of a pretty young lady in a softly falling dress, caressing her body as she stretches backwards, lying on a bearskin-covered divan. When the hinged belt is opened, the...
Marble, Bronze
Vienna Bergmann Bronze Lady Dancer Bruno Zach Made circa 1925-1930
By Bruno Zach
Located in Vienna, AT
Interesting Vienna Bronze Figurine: Dancing Lady It is a finest figurine - it is a Viennese bronze item. The lady dancer standing on square carpet balances on her left leg whereas right leg is raised. She is clad in short dancing dress with spaghetti straps, both arms are raised. Woman's head is covered with very special headwear. - This bronze figurine is of stunning liveliness (excellent manufacturing quality) ! Signed: Letters 'B.Zach' existing (visible on carpet - next to figurine's left foot, at backside). It is a Viennese Bronze, most probably manufactured by Bergmann Firm, but related signature isn't visible here since the figurine is attached to black & square marble base / signature of Vienna Bronze Bergmann...
Bronze
Cowboy with Lasso on Horse, Viennese Bronze Figure by Carl Kauba, Around 1920
By Carl Kauba
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent piece of Viennese Bronze Art around 1920 Cowboy in typical work clothes - shirt, baggy pants, bandana and cowboy hat - on bucking horse, holding...
Bronze
Viennese Bronze, Parsifal With Horse On Onyx Base, by Carl Kauba, Circa 1900
By Carl Kauba, Viennese Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent bronze sculpture: Depiction of the noble hero Parsifal with cloak and large sword standing in front of his decorated horse, based on a flat rectangular bronze base, mounted...
Marble, Bronze
Viennese Bronze, Snake Dancer on Marble Base, by Franz Bergmann, Around 1910
By Franz Bergmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Young dancer in an oriental costume with a tight bustier, a long, softly falling green skirt and a diadem on her hair tied at the nape of her neck, posing with her upper body stretch...
Bronze
Viennese Bronze, Girl Sitting On Polar Bear Skin, By Bruno Zach, ca 1925
By Viennese Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent Piece of Viennese Bronze Art: Elaborately detailed bronze sculpture of a slave trader with a girl under palm trees: Old oriental man in a long coat and turban in a stooped ...
Marble, Bronze
Patinated Bronze Figure of a Native American Scout by Carl Kauba, circa 1910
By Carl Kauba
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine patinated bronze figure of a Native American scout by Carl Kauba. Austrian, circa 1910. Signed in the cast 'Carl Kauba'. The figure cast as an American Native scou...
Bronze
Bronze Figure of a Native American Scout with Rifle by Carl Kauba, circa 1910
By Carl Kauba
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine patinated bronze figure of a Native American scout with rifle, by Carl Kauba. Austrian, circa 1910. Signed in the cast 'Carl Kauba'. The figure cast as an American...
Bronze
Austrian Bronze Indian Group, Carl Kauba (1865-1922)
By Carl Kauba
Located in New York, NY
Austrian bronze Indian group. Signed Carl Kauba.
Bronze
19th Century Bronze Patinaed Native American Chief Sculpture on Base
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Austrian style bronze multicolored patinaed figure of Native American chief with rifle standing on a travertine base (Kalba style)
Bronze
19th Century Biedermeier Bronze Patina Native American Chief Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Austrian style bronze multicolored patinaed figure of Native American chief with rifle standing on a travertine base (Kalba style)
Bronze
Bronze Sculpture Representing an Indian American, 19th-Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This bronze sculpture depicts a Native American in an upright, dignified pose, wearing the traditional attire of the North American Plains peoples. The statue is crafted from 100% b...
Marble, Bronze
